Round 3 QWAFL vs Yeronga – 07/05/2016

Heading into Round 3, the Lionesses were faced with a hard task: taking on the 2016 QWAFL favourites, Yeronga. After two wins from the first two games, the girls were excited and focused on playing our best brand of football in an attempt to stamp our mark on this year’s competition. Our previous round’s performance against Zillmere was patchy, with only one quarter reflecting our potential, focus, and style of game play. With this in mind, we walked into the change rooms on the weekend and for the first time this year it was eerily quiet. It was evident many of the girls were focused on the task at hand, and we were going to do everything we could to succeed.

The first bounce and clearance was everything that the Round 3 QWAFL Match of the Round was anticipated to be: hard, fast and very quick. It was Yeronga that struck first with their midfield and outside link to some very speedy wings executed with class. Game on!

It was a very tough match, with plenty of back and forth football and (unfortunately) plenty of Yeronga inside 50s. Our backline fought hard all day. Led by a stellar performance from Taylor Joyce, the back-women were able to successfully halt Yeronga’s numerous inside 50s and apply endless pressure on their forward-line. Their hard work recognised in Yeronga’s 7 goals, 13 behinds total at full time.

Our midfield were sensational on the day, with plenty of over-head intercept marks by Emma Zielke and Breanna Koenen to help simultaneously slow Yeronga’s attack and return the game to be on our terms. Captain Sharni Webb also returned to the ruck and was ruthless, winning plenty of the contests to aid the Lioness’ offense. It was a gutsy effort from all midfield players on the day to match it with one of the quickest midfields in the competition.

While matching Yeronga on the field, with plenty of 50-50 football, the scoreboard wasn’t reflecting our efforts on the day. The Lionesses led Yeronga just once, but their perseverance and determination shown through, as the match was anyone’s to win until the last minutes of the final quarter. Full forward Daryl Jensen insisted on her never-say-die attitude, presenting all game and bagging two of the team’s five goals.

A number of last quarter goals in Yeronga’s favour sealed the win for the Devils, with the final score 9.13.67 to 5.8.38. In the end it was their player experience and composure during their attack that was the difference on the day. Our girls walked off the field with their heads held high. While we didn’t get the W we were chasing, we matched it with the competition’s best, providing the fuel to work, train, and play to succeed. This weekend, we face Wilston-Grange in what will be another important match for the Lioness’ 2016 campaign. Get to Wilston Grange, 4:45pm on Saturday to see the UQ Red Lionesses in action!